Amethyst, Banded Agate and Quartz Obelisk (REF:AAQOB1)

Obelisk are a four sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid shape at the top. Coming from Greek term obeliskos, obelisk were prominent in the architecture of the ancient Egyptians and were called tekhenu. For Egyptians, the obelisk was a reverential monument, commemorating the dead, representing their kings, and honouring their gods.

Amethyst can be found in a wide range of countries, with Brazil and Uruguay notable places. The colour can vary depending on where it is found with a pale purple colour mostly from Asia to the more richer and deeper colour from South America.

If new to crystals Amethyst is the perfect place to start, if using for metaphysical use or just for the home. Amethyst is a beautiful crystal which can be what you need it to be.

It can be very soothing and calming but also protective. It may help with sleeping disorders, hearing issues such as tinnitus, strengthen the skeletal system and reinforce ones posture. It may also help with confidence and decision making. 

The name Amethyst comes from the Greek amethystos and it is said they believed it helped prevent drunkenness but Amethyst has also been used by many other cultures and civilisations over the centuries.

The colour (quality) of the Amethyst has no effect on the metaphysical properties of crystal and is mainly just a preference. The colour difference is from how much iron and manganese is in the crystal.

Agate is a cryptocrystalline variety of silica, chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of colour. Although agates may be found in various kinds of rock, they are classically associated with volcanic rocks and can be common in certain metamorphic rocks.

The stone was given its name by Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher and naturalist, who discovered the stone along the shore line of the river Achates (Greek: Ἀχάτης) sometime between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. Colorful agates and other chalcedonies were obtained over 3,000 years ago from the Achates River, now called Dirillo, in Sicily.

Quartz is both one of the most common crystals on Earth and at the same time one of the most useful. Growing in clusters, as a massive or sometimes as individual points it is found worldwide with some regions having distinctive characteristics such as the clarity of Penas Blancas quartz from Columbia or what are known as "skinny points” from Arkansas in the USA or the colours of Orange River Quartz from Africa. Individual crystals or entire clusters may exhibit inclusions of other material such as Chlorite or a cloud like looking inclusion which is some times rather too as "fairy mist”.